Astro (rapper)

Last updated
Astro
Background information
Birth nameBrian Vaughn Bradley Jr. [1]
Also known asThe Astronomical Kid, C.K.O, Coolest Kid Out, Astro, Stro, Stro the MC
Born (1996-09-27) September 27, 1996 (age 26)
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Genres Hip hop
Occupation(s) Rapper, record producer, songwriter, actor
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active2006–2021
Labels
  • Grade A Tribe
  • Mass Appeal

Brian Vaughn Bradley Jr. (born September 27, 1996), better known by his stage names Astro, Stro, and the Astronomical Kid, is an American rapper, producer and actor. He is known for being a contestant on the first season of The X Factor USA in 2011. Astro took the judges with his original song shot at Simon, for looking at his mom. His mentor was producer and label executive L.A. Reid. Astro was and was the seventh contestant eliminated in the competition. After his appearance on The X Factor, he starred in an episode of Person of Interest . In 2014, he co-starred in the major films Earth to Echo and A Walk Among the Tombstones , and the Fox series Red Band Society .

Contents

Early life

Astro was born Brian Vaughn Bradley Jr. on September 27, 1996, in Brooklyn, New York. There, he lived in a single parent household with his Jamaican mother, and younger sister. [2] He began rapping professionally at the age of ten when his mother promised him studio time if he began to do better in school. He soon released his first single, "Stop Looking at My Mom" and created his first mixtape B.O.A. (Birth of Astro). He later started composing instrumentals of his own that pertained to the hip hop music genre. [3]

Music career

2011–2012: The X Factor USA and Post-X Factor

At the age of 14, Bradley went to audition for The X Factor. For his audition, he performed "Stop Looking at My Mom". He gained four yeses and proceeded on to the live shows. In the fourth week, he faced Stacey Francis in the sing-off but survived as Reid, Abdul and Cowell kept him. He got into the top seven before being eliminated.

Performances on The X Factor

Astro performed the following songs on The X Factor:

ShowThemeSongOriginal artistOrderResult
AuditionFree Choice"Stop Looking at My Mom"Self-writtenN/AThrough to bootcamp
Bootcamp 1Group performance 1Advanced
Bootcamp 2Group performance 2"Wishing On a Star" (with Tinuke Oyefule, Jennifay Nichols, Lauren Ashley and Tatiana "Reina" Williams) Jay-Z Advanced
Bootcamp 3Solo performanceNot airedN/AThrough to judges' houses
Judges' housesFree choice"Can't Nobody Hold Me Down" Puff Daddy feat. Mase Advanced
Live show 1Free choice"Jump" Kris Kross 1Safe
Live show 2Free choice"Hip Hop Hooray", "Get Ur Freak On" Naughty by Nature/Missy Elliott 8Safe
Live show 3Songs from Movies"Lose Yourself" Eminem 6Safe
Live show 4 Rock "I'll Be Missing You" Puff Daddy feat. Faith Evans and 112 7Saved by judges' vote
Live show 5 Giving Thanks "Show Me What You Got" Jay-Z 7Safe
Live show 6Songs by Michael Jackson "Black or White" Michael Jackson 2Eliminated

After leaving The X Factor, Astro released his fourth mixtape entitled Loser. It was based around his experiences on the show. He also put out two beat tapes called "Masterminds" and "New World Art" under the alias of Basquiat. The tapes included productions from both him and his friend Laron (a.k.a. ThatLoserLaron) who went under the name of Keith for the tapes.

He was then nominated for a BET Award in the Young Stars category, asked to present an award at the 43rd Annual NAACP Image Award Show with Keke Palmer, and featured in an episode of Person of Interest.

He put out many singles. One of them was "Stop Looking at My Mom", released under the name the Astronomical Kid. The music video was released on YouTube. [4]

2013–present: Deadbeats & Lazy Lyrics and Starvin' Like Marvin

For most of 2012, Bradley went on a hiatus. When in an interview with Sway, he mentioned that he used this time to find himself, musically. [5] He returned releasing a song called "Deadbeat" and another called "Methods", then releasing a visual to his song "He Fell Off". Those songs were all included on his mixtape Deadbeats & Lazy Lyrics. He made sure to state that the tape would be nothing like what he has done before with a "gritty hip-hop sound that oozed Brooklyn." [6]

Acting career

Bradley made his acting debut with his role as Darren McGrady in Person of Interest . He then played Tucker "Tuck" Simms in the sci-fi adventure Earth to Echo , which was released on July 2, 2014, and TJ in A Walk Among the Tombstones , a film with Liam Neeson, released on September 19, 2014. He was Dash Hosney in the FOX series Red Band Society , which premiered on September 17, 2014. [7] Most recently, he played Calvin Walker in See You Yesterday, an afrofuturist take on ways that time travel can change the effects of police brutality. See You Yesterday was produced by Spike Lee and directed by Stefon Bristol, and debuted on Netflix on May 17. 2019.

In June 2019, The Hollywood Reporter stated that Bradley was originally set to play Christopher McKay in HBO's Euphoria , but left the show during filming due to its explicit content and was subsequently replaced with Algee Smith. [8]

Discography

Albums

EPs

Singles

YearTitleAlbum or EP
2010"Stop Looking at My Mom"The Astronomical Kid
2014"Champion" Computer Era
2015"Mighty Healthy '16"Mighty Healthy '16
2017"Cut That Sh*t Off"Cut That Sh*t Off
"Apollonia"Apollonia
"From Me"Grade A Frequencies
"Aura"

Features

YearTitleArtistPeak chart positions
US CAN
2009"Hang On" Sha Stimuli
2012"Want U Back (UK Version)" Cher Lloyd 1211
"Ghostin'"Torion
2013"Workaholics" Curtiss King
"Who's Next?"Shadow the Great
2014"Out Here Gettin' Money" Termanology
"Around the World"Ransom
2016"Every Damn Dolla"Ill Neil
"3 Man Weave"Logan Cage
"New York Nights"Taylor Bennet
2018"Flights"LNDN DRGS, Jay Worthy

Filmography

Film

YearNameRoleNotes
2014 Earth to Echo Tucker "Tuck" Simms
A Walk Among the Tombstones TJas Brian 'Astro' Bradley
2016 Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk Lodis
2019 Luce DeShaun Meeks
See You Yesterday Calvin Walkeras Brian 'Stro' Bradley [9]

Television

YearNameRoleNotes
2011 The X Factor HimselfContestant: seventh place
2012 Person of Interest Darren McGradyEpisode, "Wolf and Cub"
2014–2015 Red Band Society Dash HosneyMain role
2019 Bull Darius LambertEpisode: "Forfeiture"; as Brian Bradley
2020 FBI: Most Wanted Anttwon PerryEpisode: "Caesar"; as Brian Bradley Jr.

Awards and nominations

YearResultAwardNotes
2012Won BET Award BET Young Stars Award

Related Research Articles

The Family Jams is an album featuring members of the Manson Family recorded in 1970, with all songs written by cult leader Charles Manson, and first released in 1997. Manson himself does not perform on the album; most of the male vocals are sung by Steve "Clem" Grogan. Other members appearing on the album are Sandra Good, Catherine "Gypsy" Share, Catherine "Cappy" Gillies, Nancy "Brenda" Pitman, and Ruth Ann "Ouisch" Moorehouse.

<i>Wanted! The Outlaws</i> 1976 compilation album by Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Jessi Colter and Tompall Glaser

Wanted! The Outlaws is a compilation album by Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Jessi Colter, and Tompall Glaser, released by RCA Records in 1976. The album consists of previously released material with four new songs. Released to capitalize on the new outlaw country movement, Wanted! The Outlaws earned its place in music history by becoming the first country album to be platinum-certified, reaching sales of one million.

Mixel Pixel was a music/video project based in Brooklyn, New York, active from 1995-2009.

Danny Vaughn, born Daniel Himler on July 18, 1961, is an American singer. Vaughn has performed with Waysted, Tyketto and Vaughn and now performs and releases under his own name. He was also a lead singer in the Ultimate Eagles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Menahan Street Band</span>

Menahan Street Band is a Brooklyn, New York-based instrumental band formed in 2007, that plays funk and soul music. The band features musicians from Antibalas, El Michels Affair, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings and the Budos Band. The group was founded by Thomas Brenneck while living in an apartment on Menahan Street in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Bushwick. Their debut album, Make the Road by Walking, was released in 2008 on Dunham, a sublabel of Daptone Records.

<i>The Signature LP</i> 2008 studio album by Sway DaSafo

The Signature LP is Sway DaSafo's second album, released on 5 October 2008. Most of the album was produced by Sway with his Dcypha Productions team; other producers included Louis Gibzen, Guy Katsav and Akon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mixtape</span> Compilation of music

A mixtape is a compilation of music, typically from multiple sources, recorded onto a medium. With origins in the 1980s, the term normally describes a homemade compilation of music onto a cassette tape, CD, or digital playlist. The songs are either ordered sequentially or made into a continuous programme by beatmatching the songs and creating seamless transitions at their beginnings and endings with fades or abrupt edits. Essayist Geoffrey O'Brien described this definition of the mixtape as "perhaps the most widely practiced American art form".

Sha Stimuli is an American rapper from Brooklyn, New York City. He is known for his mixtape releases, beginning with Let Me Show You the Way in 2002, which earned him a spot in Source Magazine's "Unsigned Hype" section. Sha Stimuli is the cousin of Dre Knight and is the younger brother of producer and rapper Lord Digga, through whom he was introduced to Brooklyn rappers such as Notorious B.I.G. and Masta Ace.

Stephen Levitin is an American record producer. Apple Juice Kid's production has been heard on songs by Mos Def, Azealia Banks, Wale, Camp Lo and MC Lyte. He has released several jazz remix albums with support from Okayplayer including Miles Davis Remixed and Frank Sinatra Remixed.

<i>The Big 10</i> 2011 mixtape by 50 Cent

The Big 10 is a mixtape by American rapper 50 Cent. It was released on December 9, 2011 via his community website ThisIs50 as a free download.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joey Badass</span> American rapper from New York (born 1995)

Jo-Vaughn Virginie Scott, known professionally as Joey Badass, is an American rapper. A native of Brooklyn, New York City, he is a founding member of the hip-hop collective Pro Era, with whom he has released three mixtapes as well as his numerous solo projects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sonny Digital</span> American record producer, rapper, and DJ

Sonny Corey Uwaezuoke, better known by his stage name Sonny Digital, is an American record producer, rapper, and DJ. He rose to prominence after producing YC's hit single "Racks" in 2011. He is best known for his production on ILoveMakonnen's "I Dont Sell Molly No More" and "Tuesday" featuring Drake, Future's single "Same Damn Time", 50 Cent's "I'm the Man" and 2 Chainz's "Birthday Song", as well as the XXL Freshman Cyphers for 2017 and 2018. He has worked with multiple hip-hop artists, such as Future, Gucci Mane, 2 Chainz, Drake, Chief Keef, 50 Cent, and more.

<i>Mixtape</i> (film) 2021 comedy film

Mixtape is a 2021 American comedy film directed by Valerie Weiss from a screenplay by Stacey Menear. It stars Gemma Brooke Allen, Nick Thune, and Julie Bowen.

Donnovan Malik Blocker, known by his stage name Dyme-A-Duzin, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor from Brooklyn, New York. Dyme-A-Duzin is a former member of the band Phony Ppl. From 2008 to 2013, they performed with popular acts such as Erykah Badu, The Roots and Talib Kweli. His song "New Brooklyn" was listed on Spin's 50 Best Rap Songs of 2013 Dyme made his debut with Warner Bros. Records which caught the eyes of not only the industry but fans around the world. Among the many artists and producers Dyme has worked with Fabolous, Joey Bada$$ and Plain Pat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vic Mensa</span> American rapper and singer

Victor Kwesi Mensah, known professionally as Vic Mensa, is an American rapper, singer and actor. He was a member of the group Kids These Days, which broke up in May 2013, after which he released his debut solo mixtape Innanetape. He is currently signed to Roc Nation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shelton Woolright</span> New Zealand drummer

Shelton Woolright is a New Zealand musician. Born and raised in Auckland, he became the drummer of alternative rock band Blindspott in 1997, before leaving the group in 2008. Later that year, Woolright formed the group I Am Giant in the United Kingdom, before the group returned to New Zealand to produce their music career. Woolright launched his solo project Deadbeat in November 2017.

Roland Collins, better known by the stage name Troy Ave, is an American rapper from the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City. His moniker derives from Troy Avenue, a street near his childhood home. In November 2013, his first studio album, New York City: The Album, was released. It debuted at number 47 on the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. He was named in XXL magazine's 2014 Freshmen Class.

Alix Lapri is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Born in Topeka, Lapri participated in many talent shows in her youth. She portrays Effie Morales on Power and its sequel and spin-off, Power Book II: Ghost.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jay Critch</span> American rapper from New York

Jason Cole Critchlow, known professionally as Jay Critch, is an American rapper, singer and songwriter. He was formerly signed with Rich Forever Music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Jersey Indie Rock Festival</span> Indie Rock Festival

The North Jersey Indie Rock Festival is an American annual concert in Jersey City, that showcases artists primarily from New Jersey.

References

  1. "THE ASTRONOMICAL KID Trademark of Thompson, Cascia, as parent of Brian Vaughn Bradley Jr., a minor Serial Number: 77281675 :: Trademarkia Trademarks".
  2. Amos, Candace (October 1, 2011). "Mom of Brooklyn 'X Factor' sensation proud of son". New York Post.
  3. Johnson, Alice. "Astro's Biography Information from The X Factor USA". Thexfactorusa.com. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
  4. Johnson, Alice. "The Astronomical Kid - Stop Looking at My Moms Music Video". Youtube. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
  5. Astro talks about His New Music, Early Influences and Dating on Sway in the Morning https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYuHyPO5-04
  6. "Dripped up 5 Mixtape Hosted by DJ Dow Jones".
  7. Red Band Society Website. http://www.fox.com/red-band-society/
  8. Sandberg, Bryn Elise (12 June 2019). "HBO's Explicit 'Euphoria' Courts Controversy: How Much Teen Sex and Drugs Is Too Much?". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  9. "Netflix To Distribute Spike Lee-Produced Film 'See You Yesterday'". Deadline Hollywood.